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2 Nephi 3: “A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up”

“2 Nephi 3: ‘A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“2 Nephi 3: ‘A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual

2 Nephi 3

“A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up”

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Joseph Smith

Chapter 3 of 2 Nephi records Lehi’s dying words to his youngest son, Joseph. Lehi quoted a prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt roughly 1,700 years before the birth of Christ. Imagine Joseph Smith’s surprise when he discovered that he was the subject of much of the prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt. The purpose of this lesson is to help you deepen your testimony of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Four Josephs

Four individuals mentioned in 2 Nephi 3 all have the same name. Read the verses for each picture and identify who these four pictures represent.

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collage of 4 Josephs

2 Nephi 3:3; 2 Nephi 3:4; 2 Nephi 3:11; 2 Nephi 3:15

Much of 2 Nephi 3 focuses on a prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt about the “seer” and prophet Joseph Smith and his mission in the latter days.

President Brigham Young (1801–77) made the following statement about the Lord’s preparation for Joseph Smith’s mission:

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President Brigham Young

It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back … to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 96, 343)

  • What can these words teach us about Joseph Smith’s calling?

  • What can they teach us about the Lord?

Prophecies about Joseph Smith

While speaking to his son Joseph, Lehi quoted a portion of a prophecy by Joseph of Egypt from the brass plates (see also Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24–38 [in the Bible appendix]). This prophecy was largely about the Prophet Joseph Smith in the latter days. Read 2 Nephi 3:6–15, 24, and mark words or phrases that teach you about Joseph Smith. (Note that “fruit of thy loins” refers to children or posterity.)

  • What stands out to you about Joseph Smith?

  • How would you summarize the teachings about the Prophet Joseph Smith from what you read in 2 Nephi 3?

One truth we can learn is that the Lord raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith to help bring about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Why do you think it is important to have a personal testimony of this truth?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder Neil L. Andersen

The negative commentary about the Prophet Joseph Smith will increase as we move toward the Second Coming of the Savior. The half-truths and subtle deceptions will not diminish. There will be family members and friends who will need your help. …

To the youth … I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)

  • How confident do you feel about the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith?

Gaining a testimony of Joseph Smith

Imagine the following scenario:

When your friend Marcos learned that you were a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he started reading about Joseph Smith on the Church’s website. He was intrigued by the invitation to learn for himself that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. As he shared with you some of what he is learning, he asked, “How can we learn for ourselves if Joseph Smith was a prophet?”

  • What would you say to Marcos?

For other ideas on gaining a testimony that Joseph Smith is the Lord’s prophet, watch or read what Elder Andersen suggested:

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Elder Neil L. Andersen

A testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith can come differently to each of us. It may come as you kneel in prayer, asking God to confirm that he was a true prophet. It may come as you read the Prophet’s account of the First Vision. A testimony may distill upon your soul as you read the Book of Mormon again and again. It may come as you bear your own testimony of the Prophet or as you stand in the temple and realize that through Joseph Smith the holy sealing power was restored to the earth. With faith and real intent, your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith will strengthen. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)

You may want to watch the video “A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up: Prophet of the Restoration” (4:42) to hear testimonies of Joseph Smith shared by youth of the Church.

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icon, record

  1. Answer three of the following questions:

    • What has helped you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet?

    • What has the Prophet Joseph Smith helped you understand or feel about Jesus Christ?

    • What could you do to deepen your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith?

    • How would (does) having a testimony of Joseph Smith impact your life?